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Compare car hireThis summary is for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all reservations. We try our best to keep it up to date and relevant, but we can't guarantee that it is accurate or error-free. If you have questions regarding a specific rental, please contact our customer care team.
Avis accepts American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit cards, and Mastercard and Visa debit cards are accepted for Pay-later rentals but not always for Pay Now bookings. Avis does not accept prepaid or reloadable cards, travel money cards, EFTPOS, cash, or phone/watch payments. The main driver must present the actual card with their name and signature.
Watch for these common extras:
Premium-location surcharges vary by site.
A cleaning fee applies if the car is returned excessively dirty or with evidence of smoking, plus a $28.75 administration fee.
Refuelling charges apply if you do not return the tank full; see fuel section below.
Cancellation charges for Pay Now bookings can reach $172.50 inside twenty-four hours and up to $86.25 if you cancel more than twenty-four hours out.
Without roadside assistance coverage, driver-fault roadside call-outs can cost between $198 and $235.75.
Avis allows one additional driver free of charge for Avis Preferred members or for a spouse/partner who lives at the same address as the main driver, with the charge otherwise $5.75 per day per driver. Every additional driver must present their licence at the counter and meet the age and licence rules for the primary driver.
Avis has a minimum driver age of 21, with drivers under the age of 25 subject to a Young Driver Fee. Drivers of Signature Series vehicles must be at least 25 years of age.
If you cancel your Avis booking through a no show, or even with prior notice, depending on the payment method selected, there may be a cancellation charge applied.
Avis can supply child and booster seats for a fee, but it is the responsibility of the renter to check and ensure any child safety seats are fitted correctly prior to commencing the rental. You may install your own child safety seat or capsule of any type in our vehicles at your own risk.
Avis charges a card transaction fee of about 2.2% for Visa/Mastercard and 3.1% for American Express.
A Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is included in your Avis rental, but you remain liable for an excess if the car is lost or damaged. LDW excludes overhead, underbody, water, salt-water and damage caused through the prohibited-use of the vehicle. Avis may also charge reasonable recovery costs, appraisal fees and loss-of-use while the car is off the road.
Digital Drivers Licences (DDLs) issued by a verification authority in an eligible country may be accepted by the Avis as a valid form of identification for all purposes in which physical drivers licences are currently accepted, provided that they meet the Avis security and authenticity requirements. Please see the Avis Terms and Conditions for further details.
Driving on snow is generally prohibited unless you fit Avis-approved chains and driving conditions are safe. Snow chains should be carried on the South Island from 1 May to 30 September and on the Milford Road from 1 May to 30 November. The LDW remains in place when chains are fitted correctly, but damage from ignoring snow-control advice is not covered.
Every driver must hold a full, valid licence for the vehicle class for at least twelve consecutive months. Non-English licences must be backed by an International Driving Permit or an approved English translation. Digital copies, photos or screenshots of licences are not accepted.
Avis prohibits using its vehicles in ways that risk damage, violate the law, or breach safety standards. This includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, using the wrong fuel, or ignoring warning lights and signals. Causing damage to the roof, undercarriage, windscreen line, or from overloading, towing improperly, or attaching unauthorised items is not permitted and driving in a manner that causes these types of damage can impact on coverage. Off-road driving, driving through water, or entering car parks with low clearance is also banned.
Only authorised drivers may operate the vehicle, and it must not be used for racing, carrying passengers or cargo for payment, or committing unlawful acts. Smoking, fitting unauthorised equipment, or driving in restricted or unsafe areas such as beaches, and fire trails is not allowed. Where driving in snowy regions is permitted, snow chains must be fitted and adjusted properly, and hubcaps removed to avoid damage. Repairs require prior written approval from Avis.
Improper use may void coverage and loss damage waivers and leave the renter liable for the entire costs of any damage. Please see the Rental Agreement for detailed coverage on prohibited uses and driving restrictions for Avis rental vehicles.
Avis rental vehicles cannot be driven on
Skipper’s Canyon (Queenstown)
Ninety Mile Beach (North Land)
Avis supplies EVs with at least a 77% charge. If the vehicle is returned with a charge level below this, you will be charged the EV Charging Fee to return it to the expected level.
Any underbody or battery damage caused by driving an EV over foreign objects is not covered by damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for this damage.
EVs must not be driven through an automatic car wash. Any damage that occurs from driving an EV through a car wash is not covered by any damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for all costs associated with damage caused from this prohibited use.
Avis supplied vehicles with a full tank and if the rental car is returned without a full tank there will be a charge to refill it. EVs are supplied charged to at least 77% and must be returned with at least the same charge level supplied. The EV recharge fee is $34.50 if returned 10–77% charged, or $69 if 10 % or less. Most rates include unlimited kilometres; check your booking for any distance limits.
Avis does not pay any infringement notices and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all fines in relation to infringement notices issued during the rental period. In the event that Avis receives an infringement notice for a speeding, parking, or other traffic infringement relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, the hirer will be charged an additional administration fee, and the liability for the fine.
If your driving licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit or an English translation is required. Renters with licences from countries who are not part of the International Driving Permit Agreement should carry a certified translation of their licence.
If you want to rent from an Avis location that is within 50km of your place of residence, then Avis may need to complete some additional checks, and you will also need to pay a bond of $1,000 to secure the rental. You will need to provide a utility bill from your place of residence that is no more than 30 days old. Please see the Avis Terms and Conditions for further details.
To pick up an Avis rental car you need to satisfy both the licence and payment criteria:
You must present a valid and accepted credit card or bank issued Mastercard or Visa debit card (see Accepted Forms of Payment above).
You must meet the licence rules.
For security purposes, the owner of the credit card entered on the payment step when making a booking must be present to collect the vehicle and is required to sign the Rental Agreement.
If you are going to be late to pick up your car, please contact Avis as soon as possible.
Avis vehicles are covered by standard motor vehicle insurance; however, an excess of between $5,350 and $6,650 may be charged for any loss or damage incurred during the hire period, regardless of fault. This coverage may not be applicable if the vehicle has been used in a manner in contravention of Avis Terms and Conditions.
LDW caps your liability but an excess still applies (see below). Optional Excess Reduction (ER) or Zero Excess (ZE) products can lower or remove that excess. LDW, ER and ZE all have exclusions such as off-road use, improper refuelling or driver negligence. The vehicle excess for Avis depends on the vehicle type as follows. Excess reduction products can reduce this liability:
Passenger vehicles: $1,025.
Signature Series vehicles: $2,800.
Trucks and commercial vehicles: $2,500–$5,500.
Return on the agreed date, time and location, in the same clean condition, with a full tank or agreed fuel option. Hand keys and hired extras to staff or leave them in the secure drop box where offered. Late, early or one-way returns may attract extra fees noted in your rental document.
Standard rentals include free mechanical-breakdown service. Optional Roadside Assistance costs $9.20/day, capped at $92 and waives driver-fault call-out fees and covers up to 100 km of towing, and Roadside Assistance Plus costs $11.50/day, capped at $115 and adds one free windscreen replacement.
Avis places a pre-authorisation of $200–$400 on your card at pick-up. Local renters must allow a refundable $1,000 hold (or $500 if Zero Excess is purchased). Banks usually release unused funds within seven–ten days after you return the car in good order.
In New Zealand there are a few toll roads, which must be prepaid for before you travel. In the event that Avis receives a notice for toll relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, the hirer will be charged an additional administration fee, and the liability for the toll
Avis does not charge a Young Driver Fee.